Harry, 26, has reportedly been cleared to return to active service in the region and is eager to do so, the Guardian reports. The prince has qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot but will need to finish “conversion to role” training in England before being redeployed. That will take another seven months.

A statement from Clarence House says Harry’s situation is the army’s to determine. “Harry is an army pilot and will deploy wherever the army chooses to send him,” the statement says. “His course finishes in 2012, and after that his deployment will be a matter for the army chain of command.”

Upon completion of the course, Harry will be assigned to an Apache squadron and is understood to be keen to return to Afghanistan.

Harry spent 10 weeks fighting in Afghanistan in late 2007 and early 2008 as a second lieutenant in the Blues and Royals regiment of the Household Cavalry. But he was pulled out after some news outlets revealed details of his deployment, which was seen as a threat to him and his fellow troops.